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About the Fox
The Aurora Fox offers the residents of Aurora and the metro area enjoyment of professional quality performances in a smaller, intimate, and accessible performing space. Our goals are to bring new plays to the metro region for both our main stage and children’s seasons, provide opportunities for children to perform in a professional environment, and provide opportunities for minority performers and audiences in the community to be involved in the Center. In addition to performances by the Center's resident groups, the Aurora Fox Arts Center books other local and regional groups for performances at the Center through co-sponsoring with Colorado Cultural Connections Aurora Sentinel, LaVoz, and Colorado Folk Arts Council, a multi-cultural series featuring performing groups that represent Aurora's many ethnic communities. The Aurora Fox Arts Center is available to rent for meetings, seminars, workshops, performances, and other community events. For more information on renting the Aurora Fox, call 303-739-1971. The Aurora Fox Board
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Gene Jackson, Chair
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Donald Armstrong
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Wendy Bullock
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History
History of the Aurora Fox
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The following article by Elizabeth Johnson was originally
published in the Gateway Gazette, March 1985
Excitement began to run high with the announcement in February of 1946 that the Fox Intermountain Amusement Corporation was planning to build a $100,000 motion picture theatre at E. Colfax and Elmira St., near Aurora’s business district in the beautiful 10-acre development to be known as Del Mar. The decision came in response to the great need expressed by city officials, led by Mayor B.T. Howard, and military personnel at nearby bases. There was a theatre at Fitzsimons but it was not open to civilians nor could it handle all the military needs. All who wanted to see a movie were forced to go to Denver. Building materials were frozen during the war years so there had been little construction of any significance except for homes.
Lt. Col. Homer Preston, Judge-Advocate for the Army and a long-time booster of Aurora, used his influence in Washington, D.C. to get enough materials released to construct the Fox. As they were released, the materials were stored in a warehouse until the weather became suitable for the construction to commence.
WHERE TO GO FOR FUN
Aurora’s war-time population had grown to over 10,000 and the city was providing what recreational facilities it could under existing restrictions. City Park was improved, the RVA club opened a center for teenagers at 1525 Chester and, using surplus materials from Lowry, bleachers were added to Shipman Athletic Field at the William Smith High School. A Sun and Sand Beach at 30th and Peoria was advertised as the finest sand beach in Colorado with season tickets at $8 per family. Rodeos were still being held at the Gully Ranch east of town on Saturday afternoons but none of these took the place of a theatre.
The Fox was designed by Denver architect Charles Strong for the National Theatres and hailed as the trend of the future. The stadium-like auditorium was a military quonset but constructed of pre-fabricated steel . . . the first theatre of its kind in the Rocky Mountain Region. It was revolutionary in its unusual design and construction. Entirely new features included the spectacular 61-ft. marquee with a built-in T.V. antenna, the off-center entrance in the brick front, merging of the box office and the manager’s office, the most modern sound and projection equipment, 670 new bodyform seats, the latest in automatic heating and cooling and electronic, germicidal lamps that purified the air at 33 cu.ft. per minute. The latter was a very special feature, since polio was still a dreaded disease and the opening of school for Aurora’s 808 students was delayed that fall because of a polio epidemic. The interior was breathtakingly beautiful with the rich art deco décor using off-white and light blue to contrast with the plush wine-colored velvet couches in the lobby, luxurious carpeting and beautiful restrooms with two-way mirrors and concealed illumination in the mirrored tables of the ladies’ powder room. The ultra-modern interior combined decorative excellence with the spectacular exterior to begin a new chapter in motion picture history.
COMPARED TO D&F TOWER
While under construction, the theatre was the subject of weekly progress reports by R.N. Gwynn, who had been editor of the Democrat News since 1909. He declared the tip of the marquee to be level with the top of the Daniels and Fisher Tower in Denver. It could be seen all over town and heightened the anticipation of the town’s people as they watched the construction. The coral cararra glass, which is no longer manufactured, contrasts with the sweeping lines of the turquoise marquee as a reflection of the soaring spirits of the people after WWII, and the availability of synthetic dyes to create pleasing colors that replaced the drab, subdued tones of war times. The shop classes at the high school spent considerable time observing the modern construction methods as part of their training. Already, the theatre was becoming a focal point for the community as it continued to be for many years to come.
THERE WAS A GALA OPENING
The gala opening of the Aurora Fox was October 30, 1946, and was declared to be the greatest celebration in Aurora’s history. A parade led by the William Smith High School Band followed by the volunteer fire department and crowds carrying torches ended at the theatre in time for the fireworks display. At 7:30 p.m. promptly the doors opened. Dignitaries of the Fox Intermountain organization arrived in limousines and the usherettes in their wine and gray uniforms seated every guest without the slightest delay. There were uniformed parking lot attendants for the 63-space lot, illuminated with flood lights.
The all Aurora staff of 16 included Manager Andy Sutherland and Assistant Manager Bill Magruder who came to be known fondly by the young people as Uncle Andy and Uncle Bill. They always wore a tux or white dinner jacket for the evening shows. The young men and women selected were the pride of the community and they felt honored. Ernest McDonald was employed as the janitor and the theatre became his pride and joy. He won many honors for maintaining the building in such a fine manner. The floor, made of reinforced concrete, had a steep pitch with drains at the front so it could be washed down every morning for maximum cleanliness.
Contests and prizes offered between shows for the kids on Saturday afternoon made it such a popular place that young people came from Denver to enjoy the activities provided by Uncle Andy and Uncle Bill. So many came, in fact, that they had to have two shows on Saturday – one at 10 a.m. and one at 2 p.m. – to accommodate all the youthful customers. An installment of The Whip of Zorro was shown for many months followed by other exciting serials. There were at least six cartoons and a double feature. Admission started out at 55¢ for adults, 35¢ for military and children under 13 were 9¢. A lot of penny candy and popcorn was sold.
Each year on the anniversary of the opening of the Fox, a special program was planned that often included reenactment of the original opening night with a parade, fireworks and a band concert. On the second anniversary, Mayor Tupps auctioned over $1,000 worth of merchandise donated by local merchants. Free cider and donuts were served by the Volunteer Fire Department. Flowers for the ladies, smokes for the men and ice cream for the kids were included in the celebration.
CATALYST FOR DOWNTOWN
After the Fox Theatre came, many businesses were added to the East Colfax business district between Elmira and Hanover. That section became known as the “Miracle Mile,” though it was more nearly a half mile! Penny’s, Joslins, Fashion Bar, Miller’s Grocery, Hesteds, Woolworth’s and many others filled in the spaces to the 20th Century Motel. Holzers and Belamys build a new business block across the street and the Stratostore replaced the old filling station and blacksmith shop at Florence and Colfax. A new bank, Mode O’Day, Kortz Jewelry, a new Howard’s Drug Store and an expansion to the telephone company complemented the new city hall, fire station and library that opened soon after. By 1952 a new Safeway opened at Havana and downtown Aurora enjoyed many decades of increased prosperity.
A few months after the theatre opened, a prefabricated, metal Valentine Diner opened just across from the Fox. It is now one of the few left in the country. Built in Wichita, Kansas, it was delivered to the site, complete with kitchen –fully equipped – a counter and stools. All it needed was a foundation, water, electricity and gas. They were hooked up and the diner was in business within one day. There were only seven stools and it was such a popular place that an addition was made to provide more seating. Hamburgers were 35¢.
East Colfax was improved in 1952 and won national acclaim for the safety features.
LIFE REVOLVED AROUND THE THEATRE
Much of Aurora’s life revolved around the theatre and the promotions dreamed up by Andy and Bill. The pep club and band used the parking lot for pep rallies before ball games. Any excuse was good enough for a parade along this part of Colfax to give the band opportunities to practice. Miss Aurora pageants were always held at the Fox. Polly Childs was Miss Aurora in 1957 and went on to become Miss Colorado.
The theatre begin to decline in the 1970’s and a fire on November 18, 1981, forced it to close. Threatened with demolition, the Aurora arts groups saw it as a place to accommodate their many activities. They were supported by the Downtown Aurora Business Association and the Northwest Aurora Neighborhood Association in a drive to save the theatre.
With much volunteer time and money supplemented by federal grants and assistance from the city of Aurora, the structure is soon to play an important role in the lives of Aurorans as it opens again with a whole new interior and renovated exterior. A gala premier opening, comparable to the one held in 1946 is planned for March 8 and 9. All the asbestos that won it acclaim as a totally fire proof building has been removed and the floor leveled. A new stage will allow space for concerts and plays.
Once again, Aurora salutes the Fox.
